The Overton Hygienic
Building is one of the most important elements of the African American community
known as the Black Metropolis. Established by the beginning of the 20th century,
this commercial district developed in response to the restrictions and exploitation
blacks experienced in the rest of the city. Entrepreneur Anthony Overton contracted
for the building that bears his name in order to create a home for his numerous
enterprises, including banking, publishing and cosmetics. The Overton Hygienic
Building not only housed Overton's empire, but provided rental space for other
black professionals.

The four-story concrete building, designed by Z. Erol
Smith, is clad in yellow-brown wire-cut brick and glazed white terra cotta trim.
It is supported by a complete reinforced concrete frame. The elevator and mechanical
shaft rises two stories above the roof level to allow for additions. The ground
floor was the quarters for Overton's bank and life insurance company. The second
floor housed the rental offices of other professional services, while the third
and fourth floors were occupied by the remaining Overton businesses.

The
Overton Hygienic Building is located at 3619-3627 S. State St. It is now owned and being developed by the Mid-South Planning and
Development Commission, a coalition of community groups. The renovated building
will be used as an incubator space for small and startup businesses for the Black
Metropolis neighborhood.

The Overton Hygienic Building, part ofChicago's
Black Metropolis, is the subject of an online-lesson
plan produced by Teaching with Historic Places, a National Register
program that offers classroom-ready lesson plans on properties listed
in the National Register. To learn more, visit the Teaching
with Historic Places home page.